Rebound Therapy (Rebound #1) by Jerica MacMillan Read Free Book Online

courtesy that he shows everyone else. It’s enjoyable to just sit and watch him at work.
    I still can’t quite believe that I have a boyfriend again. I’m happy for the first time in over a year. Even when I’m just hanging out at his wine bar, he makes sure I’ve got what I need, and chats with me in the lulls between customers.
    After the flirty women make their exit, an older couple walks in and approaches the bar. I’m a little disappointed. It’s been a busy night and Adam’s been too busy flirting with Amy to help Brian with many of the customers. I was hoping since no one else had come in while he dealt with the flirty women that Brian would be able to stop and talk to me for a minute or so.
    I watch Brian greet the new couple. They turn while looking around to take in the wine bar and decide on their selections, and I stiffen in my seat. It’s Tom’s parents. I haven’t seen them since the funeral. I sit there frozen until Cathy’s gaze collides with mine. She stares at me for a moment, surprise followed by disgust flashing across her face. Then she turns away, dismissing me from her thoughts.
    Amy turns to look at me, apparently noticing my stiff posture or my gasp of shock. She looks at my face curiously, then turns to follow my gaze. I see her back stiffen and then she turns back to me.
    “Did they see you?” she asks.
    “Cathy did.” I turn back to face the bar, staring into my wine glass. It’s almost empty and I drain the last of it, needing its fortification right now.
    “Do you think she’ll come over here?”
    “God, I hope not. From the look on her face, I doubt it.”
    Amy reaches over and gives my arm a squeeze. I take a deep breath, and look up to see Brian handing Cathy and Henry glasses of wine and gesturing to an empty grouping of comfortable seats. Brian looks at me and shoots me a questioning look as they walk away.
    “Is something wrong?” he asks as he comes to check on me.
    I force a smile. “Nope, I’m good.”
    “More wine?”
    “Yeah, one more glass and then I think I’ll stop for the night.” Brian takes my glass and refills it, giving it back and leaning across the bar to give me a lingering kiss.
    "Are you getting tired? You don't have to wait for me to close tonight if you need to get some rest." I smile at Brian's concern. A real smile this time.
    "I'm fine," I assure him. "I'll wait for you."
    Brian smiles. "Good," he says. "I have plans for you tonight.” I shiver with anticipation at the heated look he gives me as he leans across the bar for another kiss.
    Another group of people walk in and Brian winks at me as he moves away to greet them. Adam has stopped flirting with Amy long enough to help some other customers who came up while Brian was kissing me.
    "So things seem to be going well with you two," Amy says.
    I nod while I finish swallowing. "Brian's great."
    "See, aren't you glad I dragged you here that night? You'd still be moping if it weren't for me."
    I laugh. "You're probably right. Thank you for saving me from myself." Amy looks smug. "Don't let it go to your head, though. And what's the deal with you and Adam?"
    Amy shrugs and looks a little annoyed. "Nothing."
    "Really? 'Cause I was watching you two and it looked like it might be something."
    Amy shakes her head and opens her mouth to say something, but before anything comes out a voice behind me hisses, "You little hussy." Amy's mouth is now open in surprise as her gaze shifts from my face to a point over my left shoulder.
    I swivel to look behind me to see what's going on. Cathy is there, her face red and ugly with hate. "You hussy!" she says again. "How dare you sit here sucking face with some other man in front of God and everyone. My son is rotting in the ground because of you!" Her voice has risen throughout her tirade and my face grows hot with shame and embarrassment.
    "Cathy, I—“
    "Don't call me that!" she practically screams in my face. "You don't have the right to call me by my